Assessing the reaction to and efficacy of the Screener drug discovery and development board game as a pedagogical tool in postgraduate courses

Screener, a board game supplemented with online resources, was introduced and distributed by the Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics to postgraduate programs as an instructional tool for the process of drug discovery and development (DDD). In this study, we provided a comprehensive analysis of five critical aspects for evaluating the quality of educational games, namely: 1) description of the intervention; 2) underlying pedagogical theory; 3) identification of local educational gaps; 4) impact on diverse stakeholders; and 5) elucidation of iterative quality enhancement processes. We also present qualitative and quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of this game in 11 postgraduate courses. We employed the MEEGA+ online survey, comprising thirty-three close-ended unipolar items with 5-point Likert-type response scales, to assess student perceptions of the quality and utility of Screener. Based on 115 responses, the results indicated a highly positive outlook among students. In addition, we performed a preliminary evaluation of learning outcomes in two courses involving 28 students. Pre- and post-quizzes were applied, each consisting of 20 True/False questions directly aligned with the game's content. The analysis revealed significant improvement in students' performance following engagement with the game, with scores rising from 8.4 to 13.3 (P<0.0001, paired t-test) and 9.7 to 12.7 (P<0.0001, paired t-test). These findings underscore the utility of Screener as an enjoyable and effective tool for facilitating a positive learning experience in the DDD process. Notably, the game can also reduce the educational disparities across different regions of our continental country.

Acute hepatitis due to dengue virus in a chronic hepatitis patient

We present a case of acute hepatitis caused by dengue virus, with a significant increase in aspartate transferase and alanine transferase levels in a chronic hepatitis patient attended at the Cane Sugar Planters Hospital of Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ.

Avaliação do tratamento subcrônico com o extrato hidroalcoólico de Calendula officinalis L. sobre os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos em ratas Wistar / Evaluation of the hydroalcoholic extract of Calendula officinalis L. on biochemical and hematological parameters in female Wistar rats

Os efeitos da administração oral subcrônica do extrato hidroalcoólico (EHA) preparado de flores de Calendula officinalis L. foram investigados sobre os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos em ratas Wistar adultas. Quarenta ratas (n=10/grupo) foram tratadas durante 30 dias consecutivos com EHA por via oral nas doses de 0,25, 0,5, e 1,0 g/kg de peso e, em seguida, determinados os perfis bioquímico e hematológico e a massa dos órgãos. Os resultados mostram que durante o período do tratamento não se observou sinais de toxicidade ou morte. Os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos, assim como a massa dos órgãos não foram modificados pela administração subcrônica do EHA, excetuando-se aumento significativo de 24,2 por cento para uréia na maior dose estudada e aumento, respectivamente, de 62,3, 30,2 e 44,4 por cento, para ALT. Na hematologia, registrou-se flutuação dentro dos valores de referência na contagem diferencial de neutrófilos, linfócitos e monócitos. Dessa forma, a administração subcrônica do extrato hidroalcoólico de Calendula officinalis não produz efeitos tóxicos sobre a maioria dos parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos estudados em ratas Wistar adultas. Entretanto, o aumento dos níveis séricos de uréia e alanina aminotransferase (ALT) em doses elevadas sugere sobrecargas renal e hepática, respectivamente, as quais devem ser investigadas em maiores detalhes.

The effects of the subchronic oral administration of the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) prepared from flowers of Calendula officinalis L. were investigated on biochemical and hematological parameters in female adult Wistar rats. Forty female rats (n=10/group) were orally treated daily for 30 days with HAE at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg body weight and the biochemical and hematological parameters and organ weight evaluated. The treatment did not cause any deaths or toxicity in the animals. The administration of HAE failed to change biochemical and hematological parameters and organ weight, except for an increase of 24.2 percent in blood urea nitrogen and 62.3, 30.2, and 44.4 percent, respectively, in alanine transaminase (ALT) plasma level. For the hematological parameters, there were slight changes in which neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were not different from the reference values. In conclusion, the subchronic administration of HAE of Calendula officinalis did not induce any harzadous effects on most of the biochemical and hematological parameters studied in female adult Wistar rats. However, the increase in the levels in blood urea nitrogen and ALT in high doses, suggests a possible renal and hepatic overload which should be investigated in more detail.

Prolactin induces adrenal hypertrophy

Although adrenocorticotropic hormone is generally considered to play a major role in the regulation of adrenal glucocorticoid secretion, several reports have suggested that other pituitary hormones (e.g., prolactin) also play a significant role in the regulation of adrenal function. The aim of the present study was to measure the adrenocortical cell area and to determine the effects of the transition from the prepubertal to the postpubertal period on the hyperprolactinemic state induced by domperidone (4.0 mg kg-1 day-1, sc). In hyperprolactinemic adult and young rats, the adrenals were heavier, as determined at necropsy, than in the respective controls: adults (30 days: 0.16 ± 0.008 and 0.11 ± 0.007; 46 days: 0.17 ± 0.006 and 0.12 ± 0.008, and 61 days: 0.17 ± 0.008 and 0.10 ± 0.004 mg for treated and control animals, respectively; P < 0.05), and young rats (30 days: 0.19 ± 0.003 and 0.16 ± 0.007, and 60 days: 0.16 ± 0.006 and 0.13 ± 0.009 mg; P < 0.05). We selected randomly a circular area in which we counted the nuclei of adrenocortical cells. The area of zona fasciculata cells was increased in hyperprolactinemic adult and young rats compared to controls: adults: (61 days: 524.90 ± 47.85 and 244.84 ± 9.03 æm² for treated and control animals, respectively; P < 0.05), and young rats: (15 days: 462.30 ± 16.24 and 414.28 ± 18.19; 60 days: 640.51 ± 12.91 and 480.24 ± 22.79 æm²; P < 0.05). Based on these data we conclude that the increase in adrenal weight observed in the hyperprolactinemic animals may be due to prolactin-induced adrenocortical cell hypertrophy.

Perfil clínico da enterocolite por Citomegalovírus (CMV) na síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) / Clinical profile of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enterocolitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Múltiplos agentes estão envolvidos na etiopatogenia da diarréia em Aids. O exame de fezes e a colonoscopia são elementos decisivos para o diagnóstico específico. A enterocolite por CMV pode cursar com febre, emagrecimento, diarréia intermitente e hematoquesia. Outros agentes causadores de diarréia podem ter o mesmo espectro de apresentação. OBJETIVO: Definir o perfil clínico da enterocolite por CMV em pacientes com Aids, comparando os parâmetros clínicos, endoscópicos e de tempo de sobrevida entre dois grupos com diarréia crônica, grupo A com CMV e grupo B sem CMV. MÉTODOS: Foram acompanhados 48 pacientes com Aids e diarréia de duração maior que 30 dias, sendo 27 do grupo A e 21 do grupo B. Os parâmetros analisados foram idade, situação de risco, duração da diarréia, hematoquesia, intervalo de tempo entre diagnóstico da infecção por HIV e início de diarréia, achados endoscópicos e sobrevida. Foram realizados exames parasitológicos, culturas e colonoscopia com biópsias. Foi utilizado o teste "t-student" para amostras não pareadas e o teste Qui-Quadrado com correção de Yates para variáveis não paramétricas. Foram construídas curvas de sobrevida pelo método descrito por Kaplan-Meier e aplicado o teste de Mantel - Haenszel. Foi assumido como nível de significância estatística o valor de P menor que 0.05. RESULTADOS: O padrão endoscópico da infecção por CMV correspondeu a ulcerações associadas a hemorragia de submucosa 14 (51.8 por cento) P < 0.01. O tempo de sobrevida do grupo B após o diagnóstico do HIV e após o diagnóstico específico da diarréia foi maior que o do grupo A (0.005 > P > 0.001). Os outros parâmetros estudados não mostraram significância estatística. CONCLUSÕES: A presença de enterocolite por CMV em Aids é marcador de mau prognóstico e menor sobrevida. Existe um padrão endoscópico sugestivo da infecção por CMV.

Central lead administration inhibits water intake and sodium appetite in rats

We have demonstrated that acute third ventricle injections of lead acetate (PbAc) exert a powerful antidipsogenic effect and induce a significant increase in renal sodium excretion. In the present study we confirm the antidipsogenic effect of lead and demonstrate that central administration of this metal, in minute amounts, significantly reduces salt intake both during dehydration and after central angiotensinergic stimulation. Adult male Wistar rats had the third ventricle cannulated seven days before the experiments. During this period they had free access to distilled water and hypertonic saline solution (1.5 percent). After a 24-h period of fluid deprivation, experimental animals received third ventricle injections of PbAc (0.3, N = 8 and 3.0 nmol/rat, N = 14) while controls received sodium acetate (NaAc; 3.0 nmol/rat, N = 10). Rats treated with PbAc at the highest dose showed a significant reduction both in water and hypertonic saline intake when compared to controls. When the effect of lead administration on angiotensin II-induced water and salt intake was studied, normohydrated animals received third ventricle injections of angiotensin II (9.6 nmol/rat) after pretreatment with 3.0 nmol/rat of PbAc (experimental group, N = 10) or NaAc (controls, N = 8). The group pretreated with PbAc presented a significant reduction in both water and salt intake compared to controls. Thus, this study confirms the antidipsogenic effect of central lead injections and demonstrates that the presence of lead in the brain exerts a significant inhibition of sodium appetite

Lesoes ulceradas do estomago.Diagnostico endoscopico. / Ulcerated lesions of the stomach.Endoscopic diagnosis

Os autores analisam os resultados de 248 endoscopias do trato digestivo superior (esofago, estomago e duodeno) em pacientes portadores de lesoe ulceradas gastricas.Estudando as caracteristicas dos 202 casos de ulcera peptica gastrica e dos 46 casos de canceres gastricos, tipo Borrmann II ou III, concluem que as lesoes pepticas sao mais frequentes que as neoplasicas ulceradas; que as lesoes pepticas acometem os homens em idades mais precoces que as mulheres; que a ulcera peptica acomete ambos os sexos em idade menor que as neoplasias ulceradas e, finalmente, que houve um erro total de 11,7% (29 casos) na interpretacao dos achados macroscopicos das lesoes a endoscopia; 20 casos de ulcera peptica gastrica foram diagnosticados como malignos e 9 casos de lesao noplasica foram interpretados como correspondentes a doenca peptica

Endometriose umbilical. / Umbilical endometriosis

A observacao de unico caso de endometriose umbilical na Clinica Ginecologica do Hospital Barao de Lucena, INAMPS, Recife, atestando a sua extrema raridade, nos motivou a apresentacao em tela, com os objetivos de contribuir para o seu estudo e para casuistica nacional

Tumor de Brenner maligno. / Malignant Brenner's tumor

Os autores, com a intencao de contribuir para a casuistica nacional, apresentam um caso de tumor de Brenner maligno, histologica e evolutivamente comprovado, admitindo ser licito reconhecer sua atividade hormonal frente a parametros observados. Fazem o confronto das caracteristicas de malignidade estabelecida do tumor de Brenner com aquelas que constavam do caso estudado